Over 90 per cent of family cars being ordered in Ireland are now diesel, according to Ford Ireland chief Eddie Murphy. Figures show the CO2-based tax regime has brought about a sea change in the cars we are choosing to buy. According to the SIMI, diesels now account for 52 per cent of all cars sold, compared to just 32 per cent last year. However, Ford says this actually downplays the shift, as dealers are still disposing of large stocks of petrol models from before the tax change. “If you consider the orders we are taking, and take out the Ka- and Fiesta–size models, we’re looking at a mix of over 90 per cent diesel.”